Low-carb diet in hospitalized late pubertal type 1 diabetic girls: A short-term CGM study

Abstract

Objective: We conducted the present study to observe potential short-term benefits or risks of low-carb diet (LCD). Methods: This is a prospective randomized cross-over study. Type 1 diabetic girls were hospitalized in ternary groups for 7 days and each group randomly started with LCD or regular diet. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed between 0 and 168 h. Results: Twenty-eight subjects completed the study. Total energy, protein, and fat consumption were high (P < 0.001); carbohydrate consumption and rapidly acting insulin dose were low (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) during LCD. Morning postprandial, noon postprandial, and evening preprandial capillary blood sugar levels were lower during LCD (P = 0.013, 0.018, and 0.048, respectively). Conclusion: LCD may have the advantage of better glycemic control despite lower insulin dose which is a favorable outcome with regard to weight control and atherosclerosis prevention. No adverse events were observed.

Keywords

• continuous glucose monitoring
• diet
• low carbohydrate
• puberty
• type 1 diabetes